Be Thankful

It’s not unusual to hear people murmuring or grumbling about something they’re not happy about. Often in the streets, homes, schools, workplaces, churches and many other places, the sound of discontentment is heard. It’s almost impossible to live a day without hearing a complaint, murmur or grumbling about anything and everything.

This is the sound that the children of Israel made when they were hungry, thirsty, tired and fearful. Whenever they felt any discomfort, they grumbled in their tents. They murmured among themselves and forgot all that God had done for them. This grumbling brought upon them the wrath of God. Their grumbling resulted in Moses missing the Promised Land as he got angry with them and disobeyed God’s command.

As Christians we may also find ourselves grumbling or murmuring about things. We’re not any different from the Israelites. When it’s cold we complain, when it’s hot we complain. We complain about the government, the Church, our leaders, our families, our parents and many other things. We easily forget to be thankful and content with what God has given us.

The apostle Paul warns us about grumbling "and do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel!" (1 Corinthians 10:10).

God is pleased when our hearts are content and thankful in every situation. Paul had suffered in every way and even when he was in chains he praised God and God delivered him and Silas.

How good it would be if every word I use to grumble or complain could be turned into a word of thanksgiving and I would praise God instead of complaining!

• Instead of saying the weather is awful, to thank God that there is rain or sunshine.

• Instead of complaining about the government, to pray for them

• Instead of complaining about food, to thank God for giving us something to sustain our bodies

• Instead of complaining about our parents/children, to thank God for them

Prayer: Lord, first I want to thank You for everything. Your blessings are good and amazing but I’m sometimes not content and happy. Forgive me for complaining, and help me to be thankful in everything. Help me to know that You can even use hardships to glorify Yourself. Amen.

 
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